Saturday, October 31, 2015

Gardeners Beware! Poisonous Plants & Berries

In the spirit of Halloween, I thought I would do a post on poisonous plants and berries.

Foxgloves and Monkshood are very often singled out as poisonous garden plants. In fact, one of the first things you are likely to read about Monkshood, Aconitum is that it is poisonous. Certainly Monkshood should be handled with caution, but it is also a really nice flower to grow in moist, part shade.

Foxgloves, Digitalis contain cardia glycoside toxins which can effect the heart muscle in both humans and pets. It is also the source of a heart medication that has saved may lives.

Foxglove, Digitalis (left) and Bi-color Monkshood, Aconitum (right)

Foxgloves and Monkshood may be among the best known poisonous plants, but there is actually a long list of plants that are poisonous to both humans and pets.

When dealing with poisonous garden plants some good common sense goes a long way:

• Avoid eating, drinking or smoking when around plants that are known to be poisonous.

• Dispose of toxic plant material carefully making sure they are out of reach of children and pets.

I consider myself lucky. My dogs don't like to dig and aren't interested in eating bulbs or plants. The only thing they have ever eaten is the odd cherry tomato.

Here are some common plants poisonous to pets:

Autumn Crocus: Fall blooming crocus contain colchicine which is toxic to pets and may result in respiratory failure, liver and kidney damage, vomiting and gastrointestinal bleeding. (Spring crocus may cause vomiting and diarrhea, but aren't as harmful).

Azalea: Ingestion of an azalea's leaves may cause vomiting, diarrhea and drooling. Without quick veterinary attention, a pet may fall into a coma and possibly die.

Cyclamen: Ingestion of the roots of a cyclamen may cause vomiting and even death.

Lilies: Tiger, Daylilies, Asiatic and Easter lilies are particularly toxic for cats. Even the ingestion of a few petals or leaves can cause kidney failure and death.

Daffodils: Ingestion of the bulb, plant or flower can cause vomiting, diarrhea, slowed breathing and even cardiac arrhythmia.

Lily of the Valley: Like foxgloves, Lily of the Valley contains cardiac glycosides. When ingested Lily of the Valley can cause vomiting, a drop in heart rate or cardiac arrhythmia and seizures.

Tulips & Hyacinths: When any parts of these plants are ingested they can cause drooling, vomiting and diarrhea.

This is a short list. If you have a pet that likes to snack in the garden, do your research before you bring a plant home for your garden.

Sadly, there is quite the long list of plants you may have to avoid.

White Amaryllis

Houseplants can also be a concern for pets. Here is a list of just a few of the common houseplants that are poisonous for pets:

I have lilies...and they are growing right in Boo's favorite hiding spot...I never thought about it. I'm going to be moving those to a new location as soon as spring comes back. Thanks for the reminder!

Good info. I do have a holly tree with tons of berries on it, dogs haven't eaten any that I know of. Oh but Henry has been chewing on a acorn or two...I take them away from him when I see it. My garden half of the yard is the dogs also. All is fenced in but it's also fenced in half, the other half is for husbands tomatoes, cucumbers...all started from seed.

The garden certainly can be hazardous for people and animals. My dogs love to snack on strawberries and for a while were going after all red berries, it really was worrying! An informative and fascinating post!xxx

So many plants are "wicked plants!" People focus on monkshood, but clematis is in the same buttercup family, and can be harmful to pets or cause skin irritation in susceptible people, but no one thinks twice about them. Hellebores are another trendy but potentially harmful plant. Your common-sense advice is excellent.

Jennifer girl I missed this post (my Halloween was super quiet ,, too quiet .. no good classic black and white horror films the old way .. I miss that) in any case this was a great post and I loved your pictures !I just came in from raking leaves .. planting a few more ornamental grasses and planting more bulbs ... I have one more order coming from Veseys ... I bought most on sale between Botanus and Vesey's .. more than I ever had before but I am exhausted ! .. I only hope they all survive and smile come Spring.Funny enough I can't keep a house plant alive ... yet I can garden like a maniac .. now how weird is that?Take care girl : )Joy

A good reminder for us all. Many years ago we had to admit into our hospital almost an entire Grade one class. They had eaten berries on a school nature walk. The kids we all fine the next day. I have no idea what happened to the teacher. Not her best day for sure.

I've not had problems with any of my cats... they chew a little grass now and then but I've never seen them go for any other plant. But I actually knew a person, an adult, who died from ingesting yew berries.